Neck from a vessel depicting the goddess Hathor flanked by felines
Though fragmentary, the decoration on this gold band from the neck of a mostly missing silver vessel suggests the vessel held intoxicating drink.
The Hathor heads point to the vessel's close association with Hathor, daughter of the sun-god Re, and the flanking animals, in this case lion cubs rather than the usual cats, are a reference to Sakhmet / Bastet. All these goddesses are associated with the tale of the Distant Goddess. The Distant Goddess myth subsumes that of the Destruction of Mankind - a tale of the rampaging goddess who was only halted by intoxication. Additionally, particular festivities associated with Eye of Re goddesses seem to encourage drunkenness as a way of transcendence and association with divinity.
The Hathor heads point to the vessel's close association with Hathor, daughter of the sun-god Re, and the flanking animals, in this case lion cubs rather than the usual cats, are a reference to Sakhmet / Bastet. All these goddesses are associated with the tale of the Distant Goddess. The Distant Goddess myth subsumes that of the Destruction of Mankind - a tale of the rampaging goddess who was only halted by intoxication. Additionally, particular festivities associated with Eye of Re goddesses seem to encourage drunkenness as a way of transcendence and association with divinity.
Artwork Details
- Title: Neck from a vessel depicting the goddess Hathor flanked by felines
- Period: New Kingdom, Ramesside
- Dynasty: Dynasty 19
- Reign: Ramesses II or slightly later
- Date: ca. 1279–1213 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Eastern Delta, Tell Basta (Bubastis), Temple of Bastet, ancient cache
- Medium: Silver, gold
- Dimensions: H. 8 cm (3 1/8 in.); Diam. 5.4 cm (2 1/8 in.)
- Credit Line: Theodore M. Davis Collection, Bequest of Theodore M. Davis, 1915
- Object Number: 30.8.370
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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ca. 1279–1213 B.C.
ca. 1279–1213 B.C.
ca. 1279–1213 B.C.
ca. 1279–1213 B.C.
ca. 1279–1213 B.C.
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